Sandhills Day Nursery Heath Mill

Inspection of Sandhills Day Nursery Heath Mill Heath Mill House, Heath Mill Road, Wombourne, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire WV5 8AP

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision requires improvement

Children are happy and settled in the nursery. Staff work together as a strong team and they form good relationships with children. Children enjoy their time at the nursery. They are familiar with daily routines, such as washing their hands before meals and after using the toilet. This helps them to develop self-care skills. Children have daily opportunities to be outdoors and active. Young children enjoy climbing through a tunnel, using hoops and developing their balance as they cross the obstacle course.

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The provision requires improvement

Leaders plan an appropriate curriculum that focuses on embedding children's prime areas of development. However, some staff do not consistently implement the curriculum successfully through quality teaching and interactions with children. In addition, staff are not clear enough about what they want children to learn. Staff do not focus planning and teaching closely enough on what each child needs to learn next.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff are kind and give children encouragement. They comment positively on their achievements. This helps children to build their self-confidence. Staff provide children with clear messages about expected behaviour. Children are reminded of the rules they should follow and are learning to play cooperatively. Staff encourage children to take turns as they play. As a result, children behave well. They demonstrate a sense of belonging and show an understanding of the setting's expectations.

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need to do better?

n Leaders provide staff with supervision and support and identify some areas where they can make improvements. They have regular meetings and observe staff's practice in the rooms. However, the quality of interactions between staff and children is variable. Staff do not consistently challenge children's thinking, ask probing questions and motivate their curiosity. Therefore, children do not always receive good-quality teaching to help them learn as much as they can. n Leaders understand what children need to learn to prepare them for their next stage in learning, and school. Children select resources and activities based on their interests. Staff carry out regular observations and assessments. However, staff do not always sequence children's learning through effective planning and focusing on next steps, to ensure that children consistently make the progress of which they are capable. n Staff provide some support for babies and young children. They adhere to their

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need to do better?

sleeping routines, and children naturally seek the comfort and reassurance of familiar staff. However, some staff do not demonstrate a secure understanding of the development needs of the youngest children.

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need to do better?

25 November 2024 n The nursery provides children with healthy, home-cooked meals and nutritious snacks throughout the day. Through play and discussion, children learn about being healthy and good oral health. Staff regularly promote children's independence during the daily routine. For example, children learn to serve their own snacks and lunch where possible. n Staff act as role models and use gentle and reassuring language. This has a positive impact on children's emotional well-being. Children develop some communication and language skills. They enjoy joining in with songs and rhymes. Children make marks as they paint and they use tools to mould dough. Older children create towers and staff encourage them to count the number of bricks as they build. They are introduced to mathematical concepts, such as full and empty, as they play with water. n Staff have secure relationships with parents. There is a two-way flow of

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need to do better?

communication with parents to share key information about children. For example, parents inform staff of children's likes and dislikes, and if they have any allergies, before they start. Staff use a variety of ways to keep parents regularly informed about their child's development and progress. n Staff meet together and with parents, to discuss children's development and any concerns they may have. They use information from assessments to make referrals when any gaps in learning are identified. Staff work in partnership with other professionals to help support children's development. Staff say they feel supported in their roles through open discussions and training.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Due date

build on the arrangements for the professional development of staff to raise the quality of teaching to a consistently good level 31/01/2025

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Due date

ensure all children receive high-quality learning experiences that build on what they already know and can do 31/01/2025

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Due date

25 November 2024 ensure all staff working with babies and the youngest children have the appropriate knowledge and skills to meet children's needs effectively. 31/01/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2558047 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10370917 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 72 Number of children on roll 103 Name of registered person Sandhills Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01902 896317 Date of previous inspection 24 May 2024

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Information about this early years setting

Sandhills Day Nursery Heath Mill registered in 2019. The nursery employs 24 members of childcare staff. Of these, 20 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The provider offers the government funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum is organised. n A joint observation of a teaching activity was carried out by the inspector and the nursery manager. n The inspector spoke to staff and the views of parents were considered. n The inspector looked at a sample of relevant records and documentation. This included evidence about staff suitability and training. n A meeting was held between the inspector and nursery leaders.

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Inspection activities

25 November 2024 We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

25 November 2024 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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